Jason,

Hello to ypu too, good to hear from you.  Trying to get some time in next couple of weeks for some serious Steelheading.  Had a good two days last week on the Manistee.  It would be nice to get some of the Michigan DB Builders together some time.

Phil w.

Hello Jason and Christine, It was a great pleasure to meet you guys. I really did enjoy visiting with you. Jason, you will get to go fishing again. It sure was fun to give you a bad time and watch the look on your face. Christine, just becuase he built a wooden drift boat doesn't mean he can paint walls, plant a garden, install windows, set tile, fix plumbing or anything else. Also I'm sure that if he does try some of these jobs he will need some more tools to accomplish the tasks!

If I had your email I could send you some pictures directly.

Once again, great to meet you guys. Look forward to seeing you again and reading your posts.

Rick Newman

Cool. Ask her to give me a call.

307 732 BOAT(2628)

Jason, Thanks for all the pictures and info on your build. I'm building two Don Hill 16' boats and was wondering what size (diam.) carriage bolts you used. The plans call for 1/4" but they look very small in relationship to the rails, are these the same size you used. Thanks again for the great follow through on your build.

Jason , Thanks for the return information. This is the first time I have finished on a project like this. I agree about having it flat and pre finished ,but also did not know what I wanted when I started last year.. I got in to using System # products and decided to use their products. Clear Coat x 2 sand 150 grit and their spar varnish... unknown coats 2? 3? or more in some circles. Right now I am on hold for 2 weeks minimum for the epoxy to cure? with the 90s plus temperature one would think only a few days. Yes that was a long winter fly by the seat on my pants projest on the passenger seat . Thanks steve

Jason, I didn't catch that you left a comment, sorry. Yes I found a 2006 16'6" Tatman kit that had never been assembled. The previous owner just brought home it and stored it in a barn. Traded my old Dancer kayak and $750 cash for it. Meranti plywood, UHMW sheet and stainless fittings. Now I need to get the previous boat repaired and sold to afford the epoxy and such. Took the boat trailer from the older boat, removed the winch post and at the Home Depot in Bellingham made a flatbed trailer with two 16' 2 x 6's and two seets of 3/8" plywood. People thought I was crazy, but it worked well.

Will keep people informed on my progress.

Rick Newman

Hey Jason,
I noticed your identification picture. Salmonid eggs? I used to work as a fisheries/fish squeezer biologist out of college in the late 90's and early 2000's for the US Forest Service. I performed the basic stream survey/snorkel survey stuff...MUCH FUN. Just checking to see if maybe you had done the same?
BTW how is the fishing up your way? Always wanted to give your region a 'looksy'.....'looksy' its a word I promise.....just dont look it up:) I hear good fishing reports from your area but the whole career thing now keeps me from major travel, but I do love to hear stories and reports.
Your project is incredible. Seriously. I plan to pick your brain a little for info and to re-read your blogs. Post pics when you are finished....I am most interested in all comments and resourceful information. Thanks for blogging.
Craig

From the kit of course! When I finish painting my 16' I will have a better idea of how the paint works. Do you think it would be easier to paint the plywood before assembly? Do you think I would run into issues or have to apply another coat at the end?
It looks as though you will done fairly soon, no? Chat with ya soon....
Craig

Jason,
I am getting close to wrapping up my paint job on my 16 footer. Now that it is almost complete, I am seriously considering building the exact boat you are completing. The 17X52 will work great on our rivers over here and I can make convertible. How long has it taken you thus far? Did you epoxy/varnish everything prior to construction? Looks good...I hope mine turns out that well.